In a stunning display of defiance, Ukraine's Air Force intercepted a staggering onslaught of 18 missiles unleashed by Russia upon Kyiv during the night. A high-ranking Ukrainian general, as reported by CNN on Telegram, revealed the harrowing details of the attack. According to Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, the Russian invaders launched a multifaceted assault from the north, south, and east, employing a wide array of missiles spanning air, sea, and land platforms.
Adding to their resilience, Ukraine managed to neutralize the threat posed by Russia's drone warfare. Zaluzhnyi confirmed that the enemy deployed Shahed-136/131 attack drones for their offensive maneuvers and employed three operational and tactical level drones for aerial reconnaissance. However, Ukraine's forces successfully obliterated all of these unmanned aerial vehicles.
The attack itself comprised a
comprehensive array of weaponry. The Air Force spokesperson, Yurii Ihnat,
disclosed that six "Kinzhal" aero-ballistic missiles were launched
from mig-31K aircraft. Additionally, nine cruise missiles were launched from
ships in the Black Sea, while three S-400 cruise missiles were deployed from
land, specifically targeting the capital. The use of Iranian-made Shahed attack
drones and subsequent aerial reconnaissance further exemplified the
sophistication of Russia's assault. Although debris rained down on various
districts, causing fires, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported no losses in
terms of human life.
A full on aerial attack on Kyiv last night, pretty intense. Bangs and shaking walls are not an easy night. Hope everyone is ok.
— Dame Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) May 16, 2023
Ukraine's Western allies played a
vital role in augmenting its air defenses by providing sophisticated systems
such as American-made Patriot missiles. This strategic reinforcement has proven
instrumental in deterring Russian aircraft from penetrating deep into Ukrainian
territory and has significantly influenced the course of the war, according to
military experts. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov took to Twitter
to express his delight, hailing the remarkable demonstration of defensive
prowess as yet another incredible success.
The relentless barrage coincided
with a rare summit of European leaders convened by the 46-nation Council of
Europe, the principal human rights body on the continent. Spanning two days and
held in Iceland, the summit aimed to establish a mechanism for documenting the
damages inflicted upon Ukraine by the Kremlin's forces, enabling compensation
claims to be filed against Moscow.
Meanwhile, a Chinese envoy is preparing for visits to both Ukraine and Russia in the forthcoming days, as part of Beijing's efforts to advance the peace plan it unveiled in February. Li Hui, a former ambassador to Moscow, will also travel to Poland, France, and Germany, signaling China's aspirations to assume the role of mediator in the war. Despite China's stated neutrality, it has extended political support to Moscow, making a breakthrough in the conflict highly improbable over 14 months since Russia's full-scale invasion.
Tragically, the shelling by Russian forces claimed the lives of at least seven civilians, while 14 others sustained injuries in Ukrainian regions targeted from Monday through Tuesday morning, as confirmed by the country's presidential office.